Assigning frequency bands from a group of frequency bands to a wireless network system

Abstract

A method for assigning frequency bands from a group of frequency bands, the method comprising determining a quality of service being required by the wireless network system, comparing the required quality of service with the predefined categories of the plurality of groups of frequency bands, selecting a group of frequency bands based on the comparison, and assigning at least one band from the selected group of frequency bands to the wireless network system, for communication between the at least one base station and the at least one user equipment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for assigning frequency bands from a group of frequency bands to a wireless network system for communications within the wireless network system between at least one base station and at least one user equipment, wherein a frequency spectrum comprising a plurality of frequency bands is available to a plurality of wireless network systems for communications, wherein the plurality of frequency bands is partitioned into a plurality of groups of frequency bands, wherein a predefined category is associated with each of the plurality of groups of frequency bands, wherein each predefined category is indicative for an available quality of service within the associated group of frequency bands, the method comprising:
 determining a quality of service being required by the wireless network system; 
 comparing the required quality of service with the predefined categories of the plurality of groups of frequency bands; 
 selecting a group of frequency bands based on the comparison; and 
 assigning at least one band from the selected group of frequency bands to the wireless network system, for communication between the at least one base station and the at least one user equipment. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 determining a quality of service being required by a further wireless network system; 
 comparing the required quality of service with the predefined categories of the plurality of groups of frequency bands; 
 selecting a group of frequency bands based on the comparison; and 
 assigning at least one band of the selected group of frequency bands to the wireless network system for communication between at least one further base station and at least one further user equipment. 
 
     
     
       3. The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein wireless network systems requiring a similar quality of service are assigned to a similar category of group of frequency bands. 
     
     
       4. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein a group of frequency bands comprises at least one frequency band. 
     
     
       5. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 determining an available quality of service for each of the plurality of frequency bands; 
 partitioning the plurality of frequency bands into a plurality of groups of frequency bands based on the determined quality of service; and 
 associating a category with each of the plurality of groups of frequency bands, wherein a category is indicative for an available quality of service within the associated group of frequency bands. 
 
     
     
       6. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 adapting the category for each of the plurality of groups of frequency bands by:
 adapting the quality of service for each of the plurality of frequency bands; and 
 re-partitioning the plurality of frequency bands into a plurality of groups of frequency bands based on the adapted quality of service. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 detecting an actual load of the plurality of groups of frequency bands; and 
 selecting a group of frequency bands based on the comparison and the actual load. 
 
     
     
       8. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , the method further comprising exchanging a signal between the wireless network system and a further wireless network system, wherein the signal comprises information of the plurality of groups and the category associated with each group. 
     
     
       9. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of groups and the category associated with each group is stored in a central control unit. 
     
     
       10. The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the frequency spectrum is shared between wireless network systems according to an authorized shared access scheme. 
     
     
       11. A network unit being connectable to a wireless network system, for assigning frequency bands from a group of frequency bands to the wireless network system for communications within the wireless network system between at least one base station and at least one user equipment, wherein a frequency spectrum comprising a plurality of frequency bands is available to a plurality of wireless network systems for communications, wherein the plurality of frequency bands is partitioned into a plurality of groups of frequency bands, wherein a predefined category is associated with each of the plurality of groups of frequency bands, wherein each predefined category is indicative for an available quality of service within the associated group of frequency bands, the network unit comprising:
 a determination unit adapted to determine a quality of service being required by the wireless network system, 
 a comparison unit adapted to compare the required quality of service with the predefined categories of the plurality of groups of frequency bands, 
 a selection unit adapted to select a group of frequency bands based on the comparison, and 
 an assignation unit adapted to assign the selected group of frequency bands to the wireless network system for communication between the at least one base station and the at least one user equipment. 
 
     
     
       12. A wireless network system, the wireless network system comprising:
 at least one base station; 
 at least one user equipment; and 
 a network unit comprising:
 a determination unit adapted to determine a quality of service being required by the wireless network system; 
 a comparison unit adapted to compare the required quality of service with predefined categories of a plurality of groups of frequency bands; 
 a selection unit adapted to select a group of frequency bands based on the comparison; and 
 an assignation unit adapted to assign the selected group of frequency bands to the wireless network system for communication between the at least one base station and the at least one user equipment. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the network unit is further configured to:
 determine a quality of service being required by a further wireless network system; 
 compare the required quality of service with the predefined categories of the plurality of groups of frequency bands; 
 select a group of frequency bands based on the comparison; and 
 assign at least one band of the selected group of frequency bands to the wireless network system, for communication between at least one further base station and at least one further user equipment. 
 
     
     
       14. The system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein wireless network systems requiring a similar quality of service are assigned to a similar category of group of frequency bands. 
     
     
       15. The system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein a group of frequency bands comprises at least one frequency band. 
     
     
       16. The system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the network unit is further configured to:
 determine an available quality of service for each of the plurality of frequency bands; 
 partition the plurality of frequency bands into a plurality of groups of frequency bands based on the determined quality of service; and 
 associate a category with each of the plurality of groups of frequency bands, wherein a category is indicative for an available quality of service within the associated group of frequency bands. 
 
     
     
       17. The network unit as set forth in  claim 11 , the network unit being further configured to:
 adapt the category for each of the plurality of groups of frequency bands by:
 adapting the quality of service for each of the plurality of frequency bands; and 
 re-partitioning the plurality of frequency bands into a plurality of groups of frequency bands based on the adapted quality of service. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The network unit as set forth in  claim 11 , the network unit being further configured to:
 detect an actual load of the plurality of groups of frequency bands; and 
 select a group of frequency bands based on the comparison and the actual load. 
 
     
     
       19. The network unit as set forth in  claim 11 , the network unit being further configured to exchange a signal between the wireless network system and a further wireless network system, wherein the signal comprises information of the plurality of groups and the category associated with each group. 
     
     
       20. The network unit as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of groups and the category associated with each group is stored in a central control unit.